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What is a Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is originally a Swedish brain-child comprising of a set of international awards given to personalities in various categories by the Scandinavian countries. They are basically meant for the recognition of scientific and cultural advances by individuals. These prizes were established by a Swedish philanthropist inventor known as Alfred Nobel as early as 1895. The prizes which were for the first time awarded in 1901 included various subjects; thus, physics, Physiology, Literature, Chemistry and Peace. Unlike the Peace prize which is awarded in a ceremony held Oslo, Norway, the rest are given out in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden.

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The Nobel Prizes have a rich history and stand out as one of the most valued award one can ever win in appreciation of remarkable contributions in the history of the human life. These Prizes are awarded by different communities in various categories; the one for Physics, Economic sciences and Chemistry is given out by the Royal Academy of Sciences; Nobel Swedish Academy, awards Prizes in Medicine while Swedish Academy is responsible for the one given out in Literature. However, it is important to note that these Nobel Prizes are not presented by the Swedish Government; it is generally the work of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

In each case, the Nobel laureate recipient is honored by receiving a gold medal, a sum of money and a diploma which decided by the Nobel Foundation each year. For instance, the Nobel Prize awarded this year, thus 2012, was worthy US $1.2 million. It is important to note that these Prizes are not awarded to people in death but if one dies before receiving it, it will still be given out. In the recent times, although the average number of these Prize winners has grown substantially; it is unlikely for the prize to be shared between more than three people.

There are known dignitaries in the history of these prizes whose contributions are not only felt but will forever remain in the minds of so many people in the world. Apart from Nobel himself, Mother Teresa is one good example of these dignitaries whose contributions and show of love for the human kind is unmatched. On the contrary, the first Nobel Prize warded in Physics went to Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen who played a very big role in the world of science by discovering the X-rays.